Alumni – New Year New Perspective

So we’ve come to the end of 2013 and what a year it has been. About this time last year I was returning from the psychiatric hospital in Houston where I decided to run away to over Christmas. My addiction teamed up with my manic tendencies and literally drove me to a point of insanity. It was quite an experience and I mention it because gratitude is on my mind as I reflect on the events of my strange year and prepare with patient eagerness to move forward into the New Year. Having gone through treatment at The Last Resort and spending the last 3 months experiencing a sober life in Austin I’m truly excited and amazed with my progress in life.I realize now that the genuine gratitude for the life I’ve been given which I can feel deep within has opened my mind to a new level of consciousness and brought me peace and satisfaction in most moments. When I was using and boozing I was rarely grateful for anything. I was too busy being selfish and self-centered, manipulating to find my way to what I wanted. In no way am I perfect now, but I am aware. The trick I’ve learned to gratitude is acceptance. In my mind, they mean the same thing. I’m working on accepting everything with no judgment of my internal or external reality. This is what produces gratefulness for me, which is initially a feeling and then a thought. By constantly accepting I remain hollow and open to new energies and fresh experiences. From there gratefulness flows naturally through me. At least this is what I’ve been experiencing and practicing towards the end of this year. I sense great things for 2014 and send all beings my blessings.“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude” –Denis WaitleyHappy New Year,Zach.W